Succession to Alaafin’s throne begins soon — Oyo Head of Princes

The race to succeed the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who joined his ancestors last Friday, will soon commence.

The Baba Iyaji of Oyo, Prince Mukaila Afonja, who is also the Head of Princes in the town, told journalists at the palace he was sure that the succession moves would have started discreetly among the interested princes.

Afonja said the procedure was that interested princes from the next ruling house would submit their applications to him but he was yet to receive any.

The Baba Iyaji said further he believed applicants interested in mounting the throne would start bringing their letters after the eight-day of Adeyemi’s passage.

“The moves to succeed Oba Adeyemi would have begun. As we are talking now, nobody has submitted any application to me, I’m the head of the Omooba (princes).

“The process is this all the princes from the next ruling house, who are interested in becoming the Alaafin will submit their applications to me.

“After screening them, I will now invite the Oyo Mesi and for example, if the applicants remain like two or a windy number, the Ifa Oracle will be consulted to know who among them should be chosen ”

He said wealth or status alone would not be used as criterion for the next Alaafin because there would be negative consequences if the right person was not chosen.

He assured the people of the town that they would be guided by the fear of God and love for Oyo town to choose the best to ascend the throne. (The Nation)